Brick mold



Feb. 21, 1933.

BRICK MOLD Filed July 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 21,1933. J. A. cRowELL BRICK MQLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1930 T22 vena?? @2f/iva' '22@ I lo l Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oarieg JOHN ADDISON CROWELL, or WALLKILL, NEW YORK, AssIGNoR 'roI JAMES B. oaownrn a SON, or WALLKILL, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION or New vom;

BRICK MOLD Application lled` July 1,4,

The present invention relates to brick molds, and more particularly to a novel and improved brick mold for use in the manuc facture of brick by the soft mud process wherein clay material is forced througha die into a set of molds, vand is an improvement on the `mold illustrated, described and claimed in my prior and co-pending application, Serial No.4 354,882, filed' April 13, 1929. These moldsare principally constructed of wood, andare subjected to considerable pressure when the clay is forced out of` a brick machine or press and into the molds.

In the manufacture of brick by the use of saidfmolds, either hand molds or such molds as vare used in the present high speed and high pressureY automatic brick machines, it is necessary to have vents along the bottom of each mold for each brick to permit'the air to be forced out of the mold as the clay is forced in, and to permitwthe clay-in a plastic condition-to flow fully into and completely fill the mold,particularly at the ends, corners, and sides of the bottom. Such molds,however, must be made of considerable strength to withstand the pressure and beat# ings, and the vents as heretofore utilized were unsatisfactory because of necessarily weakening the mold structure, andfalso forminv fins or the like on the brick,and Oftentitanes choking up. j I A further 'difficulty with prior vents in molds has been that, due to the constant wetting and dryingof the molds, and the consequent swelling and shrinking ofthe wood of the mold, the vents were constantly vary,- ing in size, thus preventing proper functioning of the mold. In my present invention I have devised a mold structure and vent which 40 gives great and increased strength, and which insures the complete filling of the corners, ends and sides, which insures an ample vent opening, and which furthermore insures a vent opening of constant size, irrespective of the condition of the wood` of the mold,

whether wetI or dry.

My novel mold will enable stiffer and better clay material to be'put'into the molds than has heretofore been possible.

The advantages of utilizing a stiffer clay 1930. seria; No. 467,131,

will be instantly apparent to those skilled in providing unvarying vent openings will also be apparent to those skilled in thea'rt,

In carrying out my present invention Ivvproj vide a metallic strap along thel bottoni,v of each partition, said strap being wider than thepartition and projecting beyond each loot-y tom side of said partition in such a manner that at leastl onefside ofveachv--v'elnt opening will be defined by an edge of this metalstrap; Thus, any swelling or shrinking of the wood Of the mold will have no effect on the sizeof the vent opening, which will remain constant in size WhetherY the mold is dry or Whether it is subjected to long and continuous moisture orwetting. The metallic straps, are so arranged in 'cooperation with the bottom panels that the said strap will be flush Withvthe ing ner bottom surface of said panelsand Vthus will not mar, deform, or injure thervbrick in any way. 1 f

For example, assuming mold to have individual mold-s tinches 'in width, and that partitions yg of anineh in width are utilized, j

the strap which I secure to the bottom of each i artition may be ofan inch in width.

hus each strap will project outwardly from its partition 53e of an inchon each side thereof. Each bottom panel will thenbedadoed or grooved completely along each inner side. The projecting portion ofeach strap will be seated in this dado, and will thus be flush with the inner surface of the bottompanel.

If desired, I may make the bottom panel I slightly wider than the width of the individual mold, so that the side'edges'of each'panel Will project under the partition, thus giving a still strongerandmore rigid moldstructure.

binations of parts, and advantages, will be Other features and objects of the invention i hereinafter more fully pointed out, described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a ten brick mold constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. `3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on the line 3-3 of"Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective detail; Fig. 5 is a partial bottom plan view of my novel mold;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating a modification;

. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of said moditication;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary `sectional perspective view of the modification of Figs. 6 and7;

- .Fig 9 isv aj view similar to Fig. 8, illustrating a modified form of bottom reenforcement; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, illustrati ing a still further modified formof bottom reenforcement. i v

Referring now to the drawings, for a particular description of theinvention, it will be appreciated that the brick molds utilized in carrying out my invention may ,be of any suitable or desirednumber or size of brick. The invention may be embodied equally well in a hand sized mold for forming one, two or more bricks for hand dumping, handling and use, or in the present six, seven, eight or ten brick and more, for use in themodern high speedv or automatic brick machines and presses, and it is in the latter field that my invention presents its greatest advantages. As herein illustrated, a ten brick mold is shown, such as is used in the present high speed or so-called automatic brick making machines, the mold i1lustratedcomprising endblocks 1,sides 2, 2, partitions 3 and bottom panels 4. These portions 1 are constructed of wood, fastened .in various ways, andusually bound .with iron straps 5 and 6. fr. .In carrying out my presentinvention, I provide in each panel'4, and at predetermined distances from the ends thereof, recesses 7 `these recesses extending a .desired distance into 'the wood of the panel and being beveled downwardly and outwardly. Then along each side of the inner surface of the panels 4 Iv form a .groove or'dado 8, theV recesses 7 extending into the. inner surfaces of the panels beyond the dado. I then apply, along the1bottom of each partition 3, a metallic strap. 9, this strap 9 being affixed to the sides 2 and the dovetails on the partitions 3 by a screw 10 vat each end of the strap 9.

It will be apparent from aV glance at the drawings that each strap 9 projects beyond the partition 3 at each side thereof, and is seated in the dadoes 8. Thus, when the strap 9 is in position 1n the completed mold, the recesses 7 will project into the inner surfaces of the panels beyond the edge of said strap 9, forming vents 11 at each side of the bottom panel and adjacent to the ends thereof, while still being spaced from the partitions 3.

Thus, the forming of objectionable burrs or fins at the sides of the brick is eliminated. Also, because of the fact that the straps 9 are rigidly fixed to the sides and partitions, and because said straps are'seated in the Adadoes 8, with the recesses 7 projecting beyond the 4straps 9, the size of the openings or ventsl 11 will remain substantially unchanged, regardless of the varying .conditions of moisture or dryness to which the mold is subjected, thus insuring constant proper functioning of the mold under all conditions. Y The outer Vedges of the straps 9 are flush withthe inner surface of the panels 4, as clearly illustrated in the drawings. Thus,the size of the panels 4 is exactly the same as if made entirely of wood. The metallic straps 9 `will also considerably reenforce and strengthen the panels 4, and thus will greatly strengthen the mold as a whole. Also, be-4 cause ofthe fact that the straps 9 are affixed to the sides and partitions, instead of to the panels themselves, likelihood of splitting .the panels by fastening devices is eliminated. Y The number and size of the vents 11 may, of course, be varied, dependingv on the charv acter or quality of the clay material being utilized, butregardless of original size, these vents -willvalways remain constant and vun-v varying, being substantially unaffected by the give and take or swelling or shrinking of the wood of the mold. Thus the vent openings 11 will always be proportional to the work and clay for which the mold is intended, larger openings being suitable for higher speed operations` and stiffer clay, or otherwise as desired or necessary.

g In Figs. 6, 7 and8 I have illustrateda slight modification of my invention, wherein the bottoni panels y4 project under the partitions 3, at each side thereof, a narrow strap-12, .preferably of metal, being fixed tothe sides 2 and dovetails of the partitions 3byl screws 13.* Slots 14 are cut or formed throughthe panels 4 adjacent to each side thereof, and so arranged as to be spaced a slight' distance from ythe partitions 3. Recesses 15..are formed on the under side of the panels 4, flaring away. from the slots or vents 14 to. eliminate clogging of said vents. I also. utilize bottom straps 16,of slightly greater width than the width of the sides 2, sothat Said straps will afford a greater reenforcement than with' straps of the same width as-the sides 2, as heretofore utilized. i

Furthermore, am enabled to utilize screws or other fastening devices 17 which extend through thestraps 16 into the panels 4, in laddition to thej screws 18 which secure the straps 16 to t-he sides 2. In this form of the invention the slots 14 are spaced slightly, not only from the partitions 3, but also from the sides 2.

In F ig. 9 I have illustrated a modified form of bottom reenforcement, wherein two metallic straps or plates 19, preferably abutting of the center of the mold bottom are affixed to the sides 2 by screws 2O and to the bottom panels by screwsl 21. These plates 19 are blocked out, as illustrated at 22, a distance equal to two of the recesses 15.

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated a single inetallic plate 23 covering the entire bottom of the mold, secured to the sides of said mold by screws 24, and tothe bottom panels 4 by screws 25, this plate being blocked out as illustrated at 26 to accommodate the recesses 15.

lith each of the forms shown in Figs. 9 and 10 I am enabled to utilize thinner bottom panels, the straps or plates 19 and 23 reenforcing the mold to such an extent as to permit the utilization of thinner bottoni panels.

The metallic straps 12 affixed to the bottom of each partition 3 are of suflicient width to engage the sides of adjacent panels 4, and these straps 12 will thus also function to prevent distortion or swelling of the bottom panels 4 when the mold is subjected to moisture.

Because of the retention and restraining of the bottom panels 4 by the straps 15, 19 and 23, there will be substantially no change in the size of the bottom panels, regardless of the conditions of moisture or dryness to which the mold is subjected.

IVhile I have illust-rated the bottom panels 4, in each form of the invention, as projecting under the partitions 3 to thus afford an additional support for the partitions, as well as the bottom panels, it will be appreciated that in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 5 inclusive, the bottom panels need not project under the partitions 3, since the straps 9, being substantially an integral part of the partitions 3, will constitute ample support, but since these molds are subj ected to considerable pounding, blows, shocks and the like, I preferably extend the sides of the panels 4 under said partitions 3, in order to obtain all the support possible in these molds.

It will thus be instantly appreciated by those skilled in the art that I have devised an improved brick mold of this type and since I believe the same to be novel, I have, therefore, claimed said mold in the present application.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that- I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts, within reajsonably wide limits, ,without departing from the spirit of the invention. j

It will further be appreciated that,.by

spacing the vents from the'partitions and4 side walls ofthe mold, the sand which is placed in the molds prior to delivery of the clay therein, will not be blown away from the vijcinityof the ventsI as Ais the case when the vents are formed closely'adjacent to the Vpartitions or side walls.

My invention is further described and defined `in the form of claimsas follows: 'y

1.. In a multi-brick mold, a wooden bottom panel completely covering the bottom of each individual mold, said panel having recesses cut inwardly from the sides thereof at predetermined spaced intervals, the walls of said recesses flaring from the upper surface of said bottom panel outwardly, said panel having a recess extending longitudinally alongV the upper surface and at each side from end to end thereof, said first recesses projecting n into the body of said panel beyond said second recesses, a plurality of partitions, and a metallic strap fixed to the bottom of each partition, said strap being of greater width than the width of said partition and projecting beyond each side thereof, said strap being seated in the second recess of each panel of an adjacent pair of panels and constituting spacing means for said panels, that portion of said strap which is seated in said sec-` ond recess being flush with the inner surface of said panel, said strap traversing said lirst recesses and closing all but a relatively small amount thereof, said straps cooperating with said first recesses to form narrow vents in the inner surface of said panel, the edges of said strap forming one side of said vents.

2. In a multi-brick mold, a wooden bottom panel completely covering the bottom of each individual mold, said panel having recesses cut inwardly from the sides thereof at predetermined spaced intervals, the walls of said recesses flaring from the upper surface of said bottom panel outwardly, said panel having a recess extending longitudinally along the upper surface and at each side from end to end thereof, said first recesses projecting into the body of said panel beyond said ksecond recesses, a plurality of partitions, a metallic strap fixed to the bottom of each partition, said strap being of greater width than the width of said partition and projecting strap forming one side of said vents, and means to rigidly attach said straps to said partitions.

3. In a multi-brick mold, a Wooden bottom panel completely covering the bottom of each individual mold, said panel having vents thereinadjacent Ato the sides thereof at predetermined spaced intervals, a plurality of partitions, and a metallic strap fixed to the bottom of each partition and constituting spaeing means for said panels.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

J. ADDISON CROVELL.

i; ifo Y 

